AWAKENED WITH THE STRONGEST CLASS

As the glow of the training hall faded and they rested after the intense sparring session, Lucy's worry deepened. She couldn't shake the unease that came with DK's determined gaze. Finally, she broke the silence.

"Why are you doing this to yourself, Master Aiden?" Lucy asked, her voice soft but edged with concern. "There's a reason that method hasn't been practiced in centuries. It's dangerous—deadly, even. The chances of success are slim, and failure means certain death."

DK leaned against his wooden sword, still catching his breath but resolute. "I know the risks," he said, his tone steady and unwavering. "But after our spar, I'm more confident than ever. If I want to become the strongest—if I want to rise to the top—I need to connect to my mana nexus core. There's no other way."

Lucy shook her head, her worry growing. "The strongest?" she repeated, incredulity creeping into her voice. "Master Aiden, you're underestimating the power of the top-ranked masters—especially those from the royal family. What you experienced with me today? That's nothing compared to what they're capable of. This isn't just a pipe dream—it's delusional."

DK straightened, his expression hardening. "It's not a dream," he said firmly. "I want to restart my life. To prove to everyone—and to myself—that I can reach the top again if I set my mind to it."

Lucy narrowed her eyes, caught on one word. "Again?" she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion. "What do you mean by 'again'? When have you ever been at the top?"

Realizing his slip, DK quickly masked his unease. "It's just a feeling," he said, waving it off. "After waking up from the coma, I've had this... sense. Like I've been here before, or at least close to it. It doesn't matter what I was—I know I can rival the best now. The question is, are you going to support me in this or not?"

Lucy hesitated, her mind racing as she weighed the risks and her loyalty. Finally, she let out a sigh, her expression softening. "Yes, Master Aiden," she said. "I'll do everything I can to help you reach your goal."

Relief washed over DK, though he hid the full extent of it. Lucy's support was invaluable—not just for her skills but for her knowledge of the world. She could act as his guide, helping him navigate the unfamiliar customs and politics of the Celestia Realm. And if things went wrong... well, she could shoulder some of the blame.

As their conversation continued, DK shifted the topic. "If I'm going to push my limits, I need more than sparring. Are there any tournaments or controlled fights where I can test myself? Something that would bring me close to the edge but not too close to death?"

Lucy's brows furrowed in thought. "Fights can be unpredictable, Master. You're strong, but there's no guarantee you'd walk away unharmed—or at all. If you want controlled risk, the best option would be dungeons."

"Dungeons?" DK repeated, his mind flashing to the MMORPGs he had played in his previous life. In those games, dungeons were high-level challenges reserved for experienced players seeking rare artifacts or valuable resources. "Aren't those too dangerous? In games, only the top players even dared to enter them."

Lucy smiled faintly, amused by his reaction. "It's true that some dungeons are perilous, but low-level dungeons have been farmed for centuries. The creatures inside are weaker, and the Dungeon Inspection Agency—DIA—keeps them regularly monitored and regulated. The danger is minimal."

DK nodded slowly. "Alright, low-level dungeons sound like a good place to start. But I don't want my parents to know about this. I don't want to give them false hope, and I definitely don't want them involved in any way. From now on, I'm not using the Lin name. Infact, once we step off the property, please call me DK."

Lucy raised an eyebrow confused with the strange decisiveness in deciding the fake name but decided not to proceed further. "That's a wise choice. If you're going to keep this a secret, we'll need a fake ID. You'll need to register with the DIA to enter dungeons, and we can't do that under the Lin family's banner."

She paused, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Luckily for you, I'm the most resourceful help in all of the Celestia Realm. I have a few connections who can procure a fake ID—usually from unregistered bodies. It'll take some time, but I'll make it happen."

DK couldn't help but laugh at her enthusiasm. "You seem oddly excited about this."

Lucy shrugged, her grin widening. "It's not every day I get to work outside the noble household. Let me handle the paperwork—you just focus on preparing."

DK paused Lucy, " I have a tiny request. Could you keep my name as DK short if you are making a fake ID." Lucy was confused with the odd request but did not proceed further to enquire. 

Over the next few days, DK immersed himself in his research, poring over every detail about "soul resonance." The concept had gripped him from the moment he first encountered it in the ancient texts. These writings were frustratingly cryptic, shrouded in metaphors and dire warnings about its dangers. Despite this, DK's determination never wavered. High-risk strategies were nothing new to him, and he knew that to succeed, he needed to dissect and understand the exact conditions required to trigger this elusive phenomenon.

The first condition that stood out to DK was the necessity of life-or-death pressure. The body had to be pushed to its absolute limits, teetering on the brink of survival. Only then would the survival instincts kick in, forcing the mana nexus to desperately connect with the dormant pathways. It was an act of sheer desperation by the body, a gamble for survival.

The second condition revolved around emotional intensity. Extreme emotions, such as unrelenting rage, consuming grief, or a fiery determination, acted as amplifiers. They provided the raw energy needed to fuel the process, driving the body and mind to break through their limits. The stronger the emotion, the greater the chance of success.

The third factor involved the surrounding mana environment. Soul resonance was far more likely to occur in areas rich in ambient mana, where the energy of the environment could act as a catalyst. The mana didn't just support the nexus but actively helped it push against the barriers blocking the dormant pathways.

The fourth requirement was the physical condition of the body. The process demanded that the individual be in peak physical form. A body weakened by frailty or lack of training simply wouldn't survive the strain. DK knew this better than anyone; his rigorous physical training had been his first step toward ensuring this condition was met.

But the fifth factor was the most elusive and challenging: the alignment of will. The texts described it as a complete synchronization of the mind, body, and mana nexus—a state of pure focus. It wasn't enough to want the resonance or to strive for it. 

DK was left with more questions than answers. Did this alignment require a specific ritual from this world, something passed down through noble families or ancient orders? Or was it a raw, primal act of sheer desperation, tearing himself open in that critical moment to force the resonance into being? The texts hinted at both, citing examples of warriors meditating for days before battle or others breaking through in the heat of a life-or-death struggle.

Breathing techniques and precise physical movements seemed to play a significant role in the process, described as tuning the fibers of one's existence to the rhythm of the nexus core. Yet for DK, even these ideas felt distant. He couldn't sense his pathways, much less the core itself. His body was a black box, a mechanism he was supposed to control without access to its key components.

The frustration gnawed at him, but it didn't dampen his resolve. "I don't need to feel it yet," DK muttered to himself one evening as he sat cross-legged in the Lin estate's secluded training yard. "I just need to prepare for the moment it comes. When the pressure is on, I'll figure it out."